Thompson Quoted on Gunvalson Case and Drug Companies

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Nature BiotechnologyNovember 20, 2008Bradley Thompson

Bradley Thompson, a Member of the Firm in the Health Care and Life Sciences Practice in the Washington, DC office, was quoted in NatureBiotechnology magazine about the Gunvalson v. PTC Therapeutics case and its likely effect on the medical community.

The article, "Gunvalson Decision Sends Shockwaves Through Industry," reported that the case, in which a federal court ruled that an individual, Cheri Gunvalson, could compel privately held biotech company PTC Therapeutics to give her son access to an experimental drug, could have broad ramifications for the industry.

The court said that PTC had made statements that seemed "tantamount" to a promise and that the Gunvalsons had a "unique" relationship with the company that "transcended" typical company/patient contact.

"This tells you that companies in this business have to be conservative, and constantly remind patients that they cannot offer them a drug, and put lots of disclaimers out there," said Thompson.